LA LOUVIÈRE — The investigation into the collapse of a bridge over the E42 motorway in La Louvière, Wallonia, could take considerable time, warned labour auditor Sophie Salens on Friday. The bridge, which was under construction, collapsed on Thursday at around 14:00, leaving one person dead and four others injured.
Emergency services from Hainaut-Centre confirmed the death of one victim, while the injured were rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment.
A total of 12 people were on-site at the time of the incident. The bridge, spanning a canal, had been undergoing construction since February 2024 and was scheduled for demolition following asbestos removal.
Complex Investigation Underway
“The case is in the hands of the labour auditor because it is a work-related accident, and there are potentially safety measures that may not have been respected by the employer,” Salens stated.
A court expert specialising in structural stability visited the site on both Thursday and Friday to assess the situation. However, Salens cautioned that the full investigation is likely to be protracted.
“We need to check all the possibilities that could have caused the collapse of this bridge: the safety measures not taken by the company, inadequate materials, unstable places where the cranes were set up,” she explained.
The construction site involved several parties, adding to the complexity of the investigation. “This construction site involves several parties: the company that won the contract, which subcontracted to another company for the demolition, which itself subcontracted to another company for waste disposal,” Salens added.
Work Suspended Indefinitely
Construction work at the site has been halted indefinitely due to potential safety risks. The decision to resume work rests with the forensic engineer specialising in stability, who must first ensure that no further risk of collapse exists. “The construction site has been shut down as long as there is a risk,” Salens confirmed.
Traffic on the E42 motorway was able to resume on Thursday evening, but navigation on the canal beneath the bridge remains suspended until further notice. The canal was originally scheduled for a temporary closure from 6 to 14 March due to the construction works.
Potential Legal Ramifications
The investigation will also explore whether criminal liability may be involved or if the incident was purely accidental. In the case of safety violations by the employers, criminal charges could follow. If deemed accidental, the matter might be transferred to a civil court, according to Salens.
As forensic and legal experts continue their investigation, the local community remains shocked by the incident. Authorities have urged patience as they work to uncover the causes behind the tragic collapse.
